OF THE THREE WORTHIE WOMEN AMONG THE CHRISTIANS.
Whose Names are,
- Elpheda.
- Queene Margaret.
- Queene Elizabeth.
ELPHEDA.
THE FIRST OF THE THREE WOMEN WORTHIES AMONGST THE CHRISTIANS, CALLED ELPHEDA.
AMongst so many reckoned up for their Valour and Vertue. It shall not be amisse to present the Reader with a commemoration of some who have beene the occasion of much combustion and trouble. Of turbulent and combustious women. Helena.
Helena was the cause of the Trojan warres, [Page 133] and Pelops succeeding in the Kingdome of Phrigia, brought an army against King Oenimaus, because hee denyed unto him his daughter Hippodamia, Hippodamie. of whom he was greatly inamored: the Poet Arcbillus, an Iambicke Writer, writ so bitterly against Lycambes, because he refused to give him his Daughter in marriage, that upon the reading of them, he presently hanged himselfe, and Pericles at the instigation of his concubine Aspatia, Aspatia: made warre upon the Sabines, and subdued them to the Milesians; Teuca. we read also of Teuca Queene of the Illirians, who because Titus Cornucanus, then Ambassadour from the Romans delivered unto her a bold and peremptory message, commanded him to be slaine in her presence, against the Law of Armes, which was the ground of much blood-shed and slaughter.
Menelaus being dead, Megapenthus, and Nicastratus, the sonnes of Orestes, pursued Helena, (cause of the tenne yeares warre betwixt the Trojans and Greekes) into the Island of Rhodes, In hope to shelter her selfe under the patronage of Triptolemus: of whom Polizo his wife growing jealous, Polizo. shee caused her to be strangled, for so writes Voletaranus: Lavinia, Lavinia. the daughter of King Latinus, and Amata the Queene: were the sole occasion of so many bloody conflicts betwixt the Trojans and the Rutilians, and lastly, of the [Page 134] death of Turnus, slaine by Aeneas: Dejaneira was the motive, Dejaneira. to the duell betwixt Hercules and Achelous, and of the conflict with Nessus the Centaur, and after of his owne death, by sending him the shirt which was poysoned. Evander Nephew to Pallas, King of the Arcadians, at the instigation of his Mother Nicostrate, Nicostrate. slew his owne Father, and Ptelerus King of the Thebans by the treason of his owne daughter Polidices, Polidices. was betraid into the hands of Creon and slaine.
Lucretia Lucretia being violated by Sextus Tarquinius, after long warre, was the cause that the Romans regained their liberty, and Virginia the daughter of Virginius that the governement of the Triumviri, Virginia was utterly abrogated: Hippolitus being falsly accused by his step-mother Phedra, for unlawfully attempting to corrupt her chastity, Phedra. flying his Fathers fury, was hurld from his Chariot, and being bruised with the fall perished. Martia, Martia. the strumpet of Antonius Commodus the Emperour, betraide him into the hands of a Groome, on whom she doted, by whom he was trecherously slaine. Alexander the great, Thais. at the instigation of Thais the prostitute, caused the great City Persepolis to be burned, be with his owne hands giving the first fire, and then his Concubines after Octavia the sister of Augustus Caesar, being repudiated by M. Anrony, was the occasion [Page 135] of a civill warre, and Antiochus warring against the Romans by his effemiary, and dotage on a Chalcidonian Damsell, lost all his honour, giving way to the enemy, for an easie victory of these and the like, we thus read Ovid Elegiar: lib. 2.
But contrary to these, A briefe catalogue of eminent and excellent women. diverse of the same sex (though not in that great number) have beene very eminent in advancing both the profit and honour of their Nations, as Dominica, the wife of the Emperour Valence, Dominica. with her great eloquence, and hazard of her person withall, pacified the barbarous Goths, from sacking, and utterly subverting Constantinople, the Metropolis of the Grecian Empire. Iuguldis Iuguldis the sister of Childebert, King of France, by her Arguments and earnest sollicitations, [Page 136] brought her Husband Hermogillus, the Sonne of Lemigildus, King of the Goths, quite to abjure all paganisme, and sincerely to professe the true Christian Religion; Clotildis Queene of France, after the like manner brought her Husband Clodoveus, Clotildis. the son of Chilpericke, to the profession of the faith, In the yeare of grace, three hundred and twelve, Autaulphus, King of the Goths, laid his seige against Rome, to assault it at least, if not to spoyle it, and to change the name thereof, and for Roma to call it Gothia, But Placida the wife of Honorius with her sweete perswasive language, Placida. so insinuated into the ferocity of his barbarous diposition, that she caused him to relent, and quite altering his bloody purpose, Pompeia Paulina. to raise the siege, and leave the City in safety: Pompeia Paulina wrought the like upon the tyrannous disposition of the Emperour Iulianus her husband, causing him to take of those taxes, and heavy impositions, which he had with great rigour laid upon his people. To which number may be added Helena the Mother of Constantine, and Monica, Helena. Monica. the Mother of Saint Augustine, and some others, and not the least meriting, this Lady Elpheda, Elpheda. the subject of our present treatise.
Whose Father Aluredus, (whom some of our Chronologers, call Alphredus,) the fourth Sonne to Adolphus, and Brother to [Page 137] Etheldredus, late King: began his raigne over the West Saxons, and divers other Provinces of England, in the yeare of Grace, eight hundred threescore and twelve, and in the thirtyeth yeare of Charles, surnamed the Bald, King of France. It is written of him that he was twelve yeares of age, before he was taught to know any Letter, but after by his great industry, he not onely excelled in learning his brothers, but many others, who were before him in time. The first Schoole in Oxford. Hee was the first raised a Schoole in Oxford, and gave that Towne great freedomes and Immunities. He caused also many Lawes to be translated out of the Brittish tongue into the Saxons, Especially the Mercean Lawes, Mercia. which Mercia was an absolute Kingdome, called also middle England, he was further a very skillfull Architector, as having great knowledge in building, and for hunting, and hawking, hee was able to instruct any, but needed direction from none, hee was of a comely stature, and faire, both of countenance and condition, and of all his other children, the best beloved of his Father.
He when he came to maturity, espoused a noble Lady, Ethel [...]ida. whose name was Etheluida, by whom he had two sons, King Alareds issue. Edward surnamed the elder, and a second called Egelward, Elpheda, whom he after marryed to Etheldredus, whom hee made Duke, or Prince of [Page 138] Mercia) the second was called Ethelgota, he made a Nunrie or Votaresse, and the third had to name Elphrida, all his children as well daughters as sonnes, he caused to be diligently instructed, in the art of grammer (so much he affected learning) and was in many battles victorious over the Danes, who often and in sundry places invaded the Land, and tyrannized therein, and amongst many other his Heroyicke acts, one passage I cannot omit being so remarkeable.
A remarkeable accidentBeing in one battle much overset, by reason of the multitude of his enemies, he was forced with a small traine to hide himselfe in the wooddy Country, about Summerset shire, and had no other food save such as hee could provide by hunting, and fishing, yet at length being better comforted, he began to shew himselfe more publicke, and at large, so that dayly there resorted unto him, men out of Wiltshire, Summerset shire, Hampeshire, and other places of the Kingdome, so that in Processe of time, he was strongly accompanied, and much better accommodated, then the Danes any way dreamed of, upon a time the King in person tooke upon him the habit of a Bard or Musician, and with his Harpe or some such instrument, he entered the Tents, and Pavilions of the Danes, and sung unto them many pleasant Ballads, and Ditties, which greatly delighted them, in which [Page 139] interim he espyed their sloth and idlenesse, tooke full view of their hoast, their strength and how it was ordered, and withall discovered much of their Counsell and purposes, and after returned unto his owne company, The Danes defeated by stratagem. who with some chosen men, fell upon them in the night, and utterly defeated and routed them, having ever after, the upper hand of his enemies.
It is further remembred of him, The day well divided. that hee divided the night and day into three parts, (if he were not otherwise hindered and molested by his enemies,) whereof eight houres he spent in study, and other eight in Almes deeds, and prayer, and the remainder in his dyet, exercise, and affaires of the Realme: he raigned three and twenty yeares, and dyed a notable, and most memorable president, to all that should hereafter sit on the throne of Majesty, whom succeeded his son Edward, Brother to this our Elpheda, who though he was lower degreed then his Father in Arts, and Literature, yet excelled him in state and Majesty.
This high spirited Virago quite abandoning all softnesse, Elpheda too as Virago. and effeminacy, betooke herselfe wholly to the practice of Armes, by which she grew famously glorious, assisting her Brother in all those great conflicts against the Danes, but ere I come to give you a particular character of the sister, let it be held [Page 140] no unnecessary digression to speake somewhat of the King her Brother, who by his first wife named Edwina, had a Sonne called Ethelstane, King Edwards Royall and numerous issue. who after succeeded him in the Throne. By his second wife two Sonnes, Edredus, and Edwinus, and seven daughters, of which the eldest named Alnuda, or Almida, he marryed to the Emperour Otto, the first of that name, and Algina, the second, to Charles King of France, surnamed the simple, and the youngest of his daughters to Lewis King of Guien: By his third wife. Ethelswida, he received two sonnes, Edmond and Eldred, and two daughters, Edburga, and Edgina, thus was he blest with a numerous Issue, setting all his sonnes to Schoole, to teach them knowledge in the Liberall Arts, but the Ladies his daughters to spinne, and card wooll, taking his president from Charles, of France surnamed the Conquerour, from which, even our greatest Ladyes, nay even Princesses themselves, if they be either cited in Court, Spinster from whence it came. or arraigned upon any Capitoll offence, they are indited by the name of such an one Spinster, to this day.
About the first yeare of his raigne, one Clito Ethelwaldus, a neere kinsman to the King, rebelled against him, and strengthned himselfe at a place called Win-burne, neere unto Bathe, and tooke thence perforce a [Page 141] beautifull Nunne, and with her fled unto the Danes, A Nunne ravisht. who then had peaceably seated themselves in Northumberland, animating them by very pregnant and perswasive reasons, to take armes (in his behalfe) against the King his Nephew, who notwithstanding so hotly pursued him, that hee was compelled to forsake that Country quite, leaving the Nun behind him, and for his safety flye into France, so that the King with drew his forces, and left off his pursuite, restoring the Nunne unto the same cloyster from whence she was violently taken: In all which expeditions, this brave Heroina, The first profe of Elphedaes valour. with Etheldredus her Husband, Duke of Mercia, assisted the King her Brother, as also in that which followeth, being highly extolled above many other prime Commanders, for her forward and excellent service.
The next yeare following, this Clito (before spoken off,) with a crew of Frenchmen landed in the East part of England, and gathered unto him all the Danes of that Country, robbing and pillaging all the Townes and Villages, as they marched onwards, especially those about Crekingsford, and Crickland, and after passed the River of Thames, and spoyled all the Lands neere unto Bradenstuake, and so from thence retyred themselves into Hast Anglia, which were the two Counties of Northfolke, and Suffolke.
[Page 142]But the King with his sister made after them with all possible speed, making havocke of all those Lands, which they then held of him by composition from the River of Owse, as farre as the borders, of Saint Edmonds bury, and soone after the two hosts, encountered, where a bloody battle was fought, to the great losse of both sides, in which conflict Elpheda, Her monomachy. fought hand to hand with Clito, and though sundred by the multitude, yet came off with the best; the event was, that Clito with many of the Danes were slaine, and left dead in the field, and the King and his Sister shared in the honour of the day. Those that survived were forced to seeke and sue for peace, upon condition that they should keepe themselves within the bounds to them limitted, and moreover pay an annuall tribute for all those grounds they held of the King.
In the twelfth yeare of this Edwards raigne the Danes repenting of those Covenants before made (as thinking it an impairing to their honour, assembled a mighty hoast, with which the King and his sister met in Stafordshire, at a place called Toten-hall, A brave victory. and soone after, at Wodnesfield, at which two places, they slew two Kings, two Earles, and divers Commanders of note, besides many thousands of the Danes, of which the Chronocles afford us no exact number, most of [Page 143] which came out of the Country of Northumberland, where they had beene peaceably seated.
This excellent Lady was as Religious, as Valiant, Her valour and piety. who amongst other of her pious acts, prevailed so farre with her Husband, that they betwixt them at their proper charge, translated the bones of King Oswal, (who had beene Cannonized for a Saint) from Bradony to Glocester, and there erected a faire and beautifull Monastery, dedicated to the honour of Saint Peter, soone after which (for it presently ensued) the last battle before spoken of) dyed Etheldredus Duke of Mercia, The death of Etheldredus. or middle England, after whose expiration the King having had so long proofe of his Sisters love, valour, and wisdome, conferred on her the sole and entire rule and governement of that Country, in as ample possession, as her Lord had before injoyed it, the City of London only excepted, which he reserved to be under his owne patronage.
Of this masculine Spirited Lady, to reckon up all her vertues would aske long circumstance, Elphedaes Acts, Buildings, &c. and reparations of decayed Cities. but I will particularize unto you some few of those brave deedes, she hath left memorable to all posterity, as building, and repairing many Townes, Cities, and Castles, as Tamworth, besides Lychfield, Stafford, Warwicke, Shrowsbury, Watersbury, and Eldesbury, [Page 144] in the Forrest besides Chester, shee erected also a Castle in the North end of Mercia, upon the River cald Merce, in the Saxon tongue Ramcofan, and since Runcora, shee also built a bridge over the River Severne, called Brimsbury Bridge, she more over both by her purse and wisdome, greatly assisted the King her Brother, as well in the mannaging the affaires of the Realme, as in erecting sundry Forts, and Cittadels, as the strong Castle of Hereford, in the edge of Wales, and in repairing the wals and City of Chester, by the Danes much defaced, which he much inlarged, so that the Castle which was before without the Walles, is from his time, even to this day contained within them.
Her rare Chastity.It is further reported of her, that after she had once prooved the paine of travaile in Child birth, shee for ever after abandoned the bed, and embraces of the Duke her Husband: saying, it was neither convenient nor seemely for a Kings Daughter, and Sister to a King, to expose her selfe to any such lust full action, which might beget those pangs, and throws, which women were inforced to indure in travell, a rare continence and not found in many, and that was one prime occasion, Elswin [...]. why after the birth of her sole and onely Daughter Elswina, she left all other effeminacies, and applying her selfe unto [Page 145] the condition of those turbulent and combustious times, became a stout and warlike Virago, whose example could not chuse, but put courage into the most dastardly cowards, beholding a woman so valiant.
Of her rare continence and vowed chastity: too much cannot be spoke in her praise for Chastity as Solon defineth, it is the beauty of the soule, Chastity. the grace of the body, and peace of the minde: it is a vertue alwayes companion with fortitude, and as it is both in Virginity and the Widdowed, much approoved, so even in Wedlocke it cannot be but commendable: and as idlenesse is the greatest enemy unto it, so by being in continuall action, is to oppose it, abstinence from fleshly lusts, are best tryed in extremity, and in the end crowned with eternity: for let the body be never so faire, without that, it cannot be truely cald beautifull: Beauty, may be compared to the flowers of the Spring, Beauty. which soone fade, but Chastity to the starres of Heaven, which last ever, for with the reines of reason it curbeth the rage of lust. The greatest honour conferd upon women, without that, is but like a Mandrakes Apple, faire in shew, and poyson in taste, it is the seale of Grace, the staffe of Devotion, the glory of life, the comfort in death which when it is joyned with Humility, and Charity, they may be called the three vertues of the soule:
[Page 146]I come now to the thirteenth of this King Edwards raigne and the first or second at the most, Further of Elphedaes valour. of her Widdow-hood, at which time a great Navy of Danes, which in the time of King Alured, were beaten from the coast, and forced to flye into France, now returned and sayled about the West Country, The outrages of the Danes. and landing in diverse places, tooke sundry preies at their best advantage, and then retyred themselves into their shippes againe, and amongst other of their direptions, they spoyled a towne called Irchinfield, from which place they tooke a Bishop, and carryed him aboord their ships, whom they soone after ransomed for forty pounds sterling, but as soone as the King and his Noble Sister, had intelligens of these out-rages, he assembled his Forces, and they sped them West-ward by Land, and sent out a Navy by Sea, of which the Danes hearing, they cowardly quit the Land, and fled into Ireland.
And therefore to prevent the like inconveniences, to which the Realme in those dayes was much subject, the King by the advise of his fellow Championesse, built a Castle at the mouth of the River Avon, and another at Buckingham, and a third neare unto it, and after returned into Northamptonshire, and gave battle to the Danes, who had there planted themselves under a great Duke cald Turbetillus, Turbetillus defeated. whom they utterly defeated, [Page 147] and had of them an honourable victory.
It is further Recorded of this Martiall Virago, that she without the ayde of her Brother, gathered her Knights together, and where the Welsh-men made invation into the Land, about Brecknocke, shee valiantly opposed them in all violent Hostility, and amongst other prisoners, and preyes surprised, the Queene of their Country, An Emlation betwixt two women. who came in person to the field, and thinking to aspire unto her fame, came farre short of her Forture. The yeare following, which was the foureteenth of the Kings raigne, hee caused to be erected, (or at the least reedified) the Townes of Torsetor, and Wigmore. Vtterly demolishing a strong and famous Castle, which the Danes for their security and defence, had built at Temesford.
The same yeare also, this Noble Lady won the Towne of Derby, from the power of the Danes, in which assault, they put her to that hard adventure, that foure Knights which were called the guardians of her Corps, A strange deliverance. were slaine close by her, yet shee (notwithstanding) by her great valour escaped; and after so many perils, hazards, battles, and conflicts, in all which, both for magnanimity and action, shee out did the most, and equalled the best: death which durst not looke upon her, in her Armour, [Page 148] as being frighted at the terrour of her angry countenance, stole upon her unawares, when her plumed helmet, victorious sword, and impenetrable Curace, was laid by, arrested her by the hand of his minister sickenesse, and then taking the advantage of her infirmity and weakenesse, Elphedaes death. strucke her dead about the Summer Solstice, which is the middle of Iune. Who was much lamented by the King and the Commons, and her body with great solemnity interred, in the Monastery of Saint Peters, which the Duke her Lord, and shee had before erected in Glocester, which was after in the troublesome combustions of the Danes, quite raced and demolished, but in the processe of time, againe reedified by Aldredus, Bishop both of Yorke, and Worcester, who was loath that the memory of so magnanimous a Lady should be drowned in Lethe, and not her monument remaine to all posterity.
Elphedaes Daughter.This excellent Lady being dead, her young daughter Elswina was possessed of all her seigniory for a season, having a like principality with her mother, who preceaded her, and was stiled Princesse of Mercia, or middle England: but the King her Vnckle taking the affaire into his more mature consideration, by the advice of his Nobles, thought it to be too great a burden for her to support, especially her indisposition comming [Page 149] so farre short of the wisedome, and valour of her Mother, and therefore discharged and dispossessed her thereof, annexing it to the Crowne, and making it a prime limbe, of the body of his Kingdome: which though it was done with some contention, and difficulty; yet the King prevailed in his purpose, allotting unto her the Townes of Notingham, Tom-woorth, and Derby: expecting shee would have defended them in as brave and warlike a manner, as her Mother before her had done, but finding the contrary, he tooke them also from her, and reduced them into his owne subjection.
Henry, Arch-bishop of Huntington, an Histriographer, and Poet (such as those times afforded) wrote much of the Chronicles of England, and composed many Elegies, and Ditties of this noble Lady Elpheda, of which these ensuing are a part.
These amongst others are remembred by Fabiam, one of our English Chronologers, whom in this briefe tractate (for the contractednesse used in his Annals) I have strived to imitate.
King Edward, in the death of his Royall sister Elpheda, having lost his chiefe supportresse, [Page 150] yet notwithstanding builded a new Towne directly over against old Nothingham, and made a faire Bridge, to make a passage betwixt them, of whom Marianus the Scot, William of Malmsbury, and Henry of Huntington further report, that he subdued the two Kings of Scotland and Wales, King Edward subdued the two Kings of Scotland and Wales. who about the twentieth yeare of his raigne elected, and acknowledged him for their Lord and Patron. Hee also in the North part of Mercia, by the River Merce, built a City or Towne called Thylwall, and after repaired the City of Mouchester, which had beene much defaced by the Danes, after which and many other his structures, and noble atchievements, which would appeare too tedious here to relate. He finally expired, (having raigned in great honour and trouble) at Tarringdon; in the twenty fourth yeare of his raigne, and from thence his body was conveighed to Winchester, and interred in the Monastery of Saint Swithine: leaving behinde him divers Sonners, of which Ethelstane was the eldest, and succeeded in the Throne Imperiall, who began his raigne over the greatest part of England, in the yeare of grace, nine hundred and twenty five, and in the third yeare of Rodolphus King of France this Ethelstane, King Ethelstane. much beautified the tombe of his Aunt Elpheda, and is said to be the first annointed King of this Land, &c.
QVEENE MARGARET
THE SECOND OF THE THREE WOMEN WORTHIES AMONGST THE CHRISTIANS, CALLED MARGARET QVEENE OF ENGLAND.
IN the yeare of grace, one thousand foure hundred forty and two, Embassadours were sent from England into Guian, Preparation for a marriage. where a match was concluded betwixt King Henry the sixth, then of the age of one [Page 155] and twenty, and the Daughter of the Earle of Arminacke, which after was disannulled by the Earle of Suffolke, (a mighty man in those times) which occasioned a great afront betwixt the Lord Protector and him, which grew unto much rage and blood-shed, (as may after appeare,) but to follow the History close, the before named Earle of Suffolke, after the former match fell off, went with others his Assotiates, and concluded a marriage betwixt the King, and the Lady Margaret, Daughter to the King of Cicile, and Ierusalem, upon which contract were delivered unto the said King, the Dutchy of Angeon, and the Earledome of Maine, then called the two keyes, to open the way into Normandy, and in the next yeare after, the Earle of Suffolke, being created Marquesse, with his wife and other of the most honourable Ladyes of the Realme, The Lady Margaret brought over into England. sayled into France, to bring over this Lady into England, which was done with all solemnity; when Thomas Catwoorthe, was Lord Major, and Nicholas Wilford, and Iohn Norman were Sherifes of London.
The moneth after her arrivall into the Kingdome, The marriage of the King to the Lady Margaret. shee was espoused to the King, at a Towne called Sowthwicke, in the County of Hamshire, and from thence was honourably conveyed, by the Lords and Peeres of the Land, to Blacke-Heath, and there met [Page 156] by the Lord Major, and the Citizens, and in great triumph brought to Westminster, and upon the thirtyeth day of May, which was the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, was solemnely Crowned; great Feasts, Iusts, and other martiall exercises, were held in the Sanctuary, before the Abby, for the space of three dayes after: But this match was held to be very unprofitable for the Kingdome; An unprofitable match. first by giving up out of the Kings possession Angeon and Maine: And then, that for the charge of her comming over, there was demanded in Parliament, a fifteene and an halfe, by the Marquesse of Suffolke, which drew him into such a contempt and hatred of the people, that it after cost him his life.
Some also held it very ominous, because that after this Match, as the King lost his revenues in France, so hee also hazarded the Natives and people of his owne Nation, for presently after, all the Common weale, and affaires of the estate, were mannaged by the Queene, The Queene assumes regall prerogative. and her Counsell, (being a woman of a brave and Heroicke Spirit) she assumed prerogative into her hands, all things began after to goe retrograds, and preposterous, which many conjectured was by the breach of that promise made by the King, unto the Earle of Arminackes daughter, for there fell upon this, that the King lost all his right in [Page 157] Norwaige, upon which followed a dissention and division of the Lord within the Realme; the rebellion of the Commonalty, against the Prince their Soveraigne, and in conclusion, the deposing of the King, and the Queene, with the Prince her Sonne, to be compelled to avoid the Land.
In the five and twentyeth yeare of this Kings raigne, a Parliament was held at Saint Edmunds bury, in Suffolke, to which all the Commons of that Country, were commanded in their most defensible aray, to waite upon the person of the King, where the Lords were no sooner assembled, Humphrey Duke of Glocester the Kings Vnckle but Humphrey Duke of Glocester, and Vnckle to the King, was arrested by Viscount Bewmount, then High Constable of England, (accompanyed with the Duke of Buckingham, and others) and two and thirty of his Principal Servants, committed unto severall prisons: His death. after which arrest, the Duke after sixe dayes was found dead in his bed, being the foure and twentieth day of February. And his body being exposed to the publicke view of all men, there was no wound found about him, notwithstanding which, of his death the Marquesse of Suffolke, A true character of Duke Humphrey. was shrowdly suspected, he was a man greatly honoured, and beloved of the Commons, as well for his discreete governement of the Realme, during the Kings nonage, as for his brave and noble hospitality, [Page 158] in which none ever exceeded him, for which and many other of his unparalleld vertues, he purchased unto himselfe, (and not without cause) to bee called the good Duke of Glocester, whose body was after conveighed unto Saint Albones, and neere unto the shrine sollemnely interred.
Not long after, in the yeare one thousand foure hundred and fifty, during the foresaid Parliament, the Marquesse of Suffolke was arrested and sent to the Tower, where hee lived a moneth at his pleasure, which Parliament being after adjourned to Lecester, A Parliament at Lecester. thither the King came, attended by Suffolke, where the Commons made great complaint of the delivering up of Angeou and Maine, to the dishonour of the kingdome; For which they accused the Marquesse, and others as guilty, as also for the murther of the good Duke of Glocester: to appease whom, they Exiled him the Land for five yeares, who obeying the sentence, tooke shipping in Northfolke, intending to have sayled, into France, but was met by the way by a ship of warre, called the Nicolas of the Tower, whose Captaine knowing the Duke, put into the Road of Dover, and caused his head to be strucke off on the side of a Boat, The death of the Marquesse of Suffolke ▪ and there left both head and body upon the sands, and then put to Sea againe, and this was the end of the Queenes great favourite, who save of [Page 159] her, and some of his owne creatures, dyed altogether unlamented.
I omit to speake of sundry insurrections, as that of Blew-beard, Blew-beard, Iacke Cade. and the Kentish men, with their Captaine Iacke Cade, who called himselfe Mortimer, and Cousin to the Duke of Yorke, with others, and come to tell you that the Duke of Somerset, succeeded Suffolke in the Queenes favour, by whom, and her Counsell, all the affaires of the Realme were mannaged: For she was a Lady of an haughty and invincible spirit, and in the thirty second yeare of the Kings raigne, The birth of Prince Edward. was delivered of a Princely Sonne called Edward: In which interim great discontent arose among the Nobles and Peeres of the Land, especially the Duke of Somerset, and others of the Queenes Counsell grew in great hatred, for the giving up of Normandy by appointment: for which and other grievances, the Duke of Yorke (father to him who was after King Edward the fourth,) with other confederate Lords, opposed the Queene, and her faction, of which mortall warre ensued.
The King being much instigated by this magnanimous Lady his Queene, The Queene the instigator of all combustions. accompanyed with the Duke of Somerset, with a great army, tooke their journey towards the Marches of Wales, being ascertained that the Duke of Yorke, with sundry other Lords, [Page 160] were up in Armes, who understanding of the Kings comming with so great a power, The proceeding of the Duke of Yorke swarved from his Hoast, and tooke his way towards London, but because hee could not be received into the City, to refresh his people, he went over Kingstone Bridge, and so into Kent, where on a place cald Bremt heath he embatteld himselfe: soone after came the King to Blacke-heath, and did the like; these two Armies affronting each other, a motion was made to mediate a peace betwixt them, to further which, to the Duke were sent the Bishops of Winchester, and Elye, and the Earles of Warwicke, and Salisbury, to whom the answer was, that he intended no violence against the person of the King, A Peace mediated betwixt the King and the Duke. onely to remoove from about him, some evill disposed persons, by whose meanes his people was much oppressed, and the Commons greatly impoverished, the chiefest of which was the Duke of Somerset, to satisfie whom, it was concluded by the King, that hee should be kept in durance to answer all such Articles, as the Duke could object against him.
Vpon which promise made by the King, the first day of March, being thursday, the Duke broke up his Campe, and personally came to the Kings tent, where he found the Duke of Sommerset at liberty, and the next attending on the King, The Duke of Yorke sent to the Tower. and by the Queenes meanes, the Duke of Yorke was sent to London, [Page 161] where he remained in a sort a prisoner, and more straitly had beene kept, The Earle of March soone to the Duke of Yorke. if present newes had not come, that his Sonne Edward then Earle of Marsh, was hastning up towards London, with a strong power of Welsh, and Marchmen, which stroke so suddaine a terrour into the Queene and her Counsell, that the Duke was set at large, having liberty to retire himselfe into his owne country: soone after by meanes of the Queene, Summerset created Captaine of Ca [...]is. the Duke of Summerset, was created Captaine of Callis, which kindled a new fire in the Yorkists, insomuch that the Duke being in the Marches of Wales, called unto him the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury, A new combustion. with divers other Lords, Knights, and Esquires, and sufficiently strengthened himselfe, and in Aprill, made what speed he could towards London.
Which hearing the King and the Queene, shee suddenly caused, (using the Kings name and Authority, in all things) a strong Army to be levyed, entending to conveigh the King West-ward, without incountring the Duke of Yorke. In which were imployed the Dukes of Summerset and Buckingham, Lords of the Queenes party the Earles of Stafford and Northumberland, the Lord Clifford and others, who held their journey towards Saint Albones, which the Duke hearing coasted the Country, and upon Thursday before Whitsunday: tooke one end of the Towne, where whilst motion of peace [Page 162] was treated on the one party, the Earle of Warwicke with the March-men, entered on the other, and skirmished violently against the Kings people: The battle at Saint Al [...]ones In conclusion, the day fell to the Yorkists, where that time was slaine the Duke of Sommerset, the Earle of Northumberland, and the Lord Cl [...]fford, with many other Noble Gentlemen: which victory thus obtained by the Duke, hee with great seeming honour and reverence, the morrow following, The Kings prison. The Duke of Yorke Protector. conveighed the King to London, and lodged him in the Bishops pallace, and soone after by a Parliament held at Westminster, the Duke of Yorke, was made Protector of England, the Earle of Salisbury, Chancellour, and the Earle of Warwicke, Captaine of Callis, and all persons (before) neere unto the King, remooved, and the Queene and her Counsell, who before ruled all, both King, and land, utterly disabled for having voyce in either: at all which her high Spirit seemed nothing daunted.
But with some Lords, who secretly adhered unto her party, she so far perswaded that in making the King insufficient, it was such a dishonour to him, and disgrace to the Realme, Yorke discharged of his Protectorship. that by pollicy and friendship, shee caused the Duke of Yorke, to be discharged of his Protectors place, and the Earle of Salisbury, from being Chancellour, which was the cause of new combustion, and finding (as [Page 163] shee thought) the City of London, to favour more the Yorkists, then her faction, shee caused the King to remove thence to Coventry, whether the Duke with the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury, were sent for, who in their way were so ambusht, that with great difficulty they escaped from being surprised: an other assembly of all the Lords, was appointed at London, where all of them were richly accompanyed, and strongly attended where a seeming attonement was made betwixt them, for joy of which, upon our Ladyes day in Lent, the King, the Queene, and Lords of both parties, Procession to Pauls. went in sollemne procession to Pauls.
But this smothered fire broke quickely into open flame, I will let passe many of the circumstances, and come to the matter: The Duke of Yorke knowing the inveterate malice, which the Queene bore unto him: assembled his Friends, and gathered a strong army of March-men and others, in the beginning of the thirty eight yeare of the King, and strongly encamped himselfe at Ludlow; the Queene also gathered like strength, to encounter the Duke, unto whose aide the Earle of Warwicke sent a strong band of men from Callis, Andrew Trollope. in whose company one Andrew Trollop, who the night before the incounter, with the entire company of those Callis souldiers, left the Dukes Hoast, and went unto [Page 164] the Kings, where they were joyfully received, which much dismaide the Yorkists, and the more because they were privy to all their counsell, Yorkes flight and his Army dissolved. wherefore upon mature deliberation, they resolved to flye and leave their Campe standing, as if they had still kept the field: the Duke with his two sons, and some few others fled into Wales, and so after into Ireland, and there remained: the other Lords of his confederacy, tooke their way into Devonshire, from thence they sayled into Garnesy, and after to Callis.
In the morning, when all this was knowne to the adverse party, there was sending and running to all Ports, The Dutchesse of Yorke prisoner, and Ludlow spoyled. and places, to surprise these Lords, but their pursuite came to late, so that the Kings Army spoyled Ludlow, and the Castles, and tooke the Dutchesse of Yorke, and her children, and sent them to the Dutchesse of Buckingham, her sister, then were all the Yorkists proclaimed Rebels, The Yorkists proclaimed Traitors. and Traitors, and the young Duke of Summerset made by the Queene, Captaine of Callis: but notwithstanding, all the Kings Authority joyned with hers, hee could not be there received, which was the cause of many skirmishes, and much blood shed, in which, though the Lords lost many men, yet they came dayly so thicke unto them, out of diverse parts of England, that their losse was not perceived; In which interim one Iohn [Page 165] Dinham, was sent with certaine ships, to set upon the Kings Navy at Portsmouth, Iohn Dinham surprised the Kings Navy. who sped him so well that he tooke the Lord Rivers in his bed, with the Lord Skales his son, with other rich preys, taking of the Kings Navy what shippes them best liked; which some conjecture was not without the consent of the Mariners, who bore a singular affection to the Earle of Warwicke.
With part of these ships the Earle of Warwicke sayled into Ireland, to conferre with the Duke of Yorke, about their re-entry into the Land, and returned into Callis with safety, in which time a Parliment was held at Coventry, by Authority whereof, the Duke of Yorke with the other Lords were attainted and their Lands and goods ceased to the Kings use, then provision was made to defend the Havens, and Ports, and at Sandwich was ordained a new strength, under the command of one Sir Simon Mountford, that none should passe unto the aide of the Lords, of which they having intelligence, sent out another Navy un [...]o Sandwich, and after long fight with the said Mountford, Simon Mountford beheaded by the Yorkists. tooke him, and at a place called Ris-banke, smote off his head: after which the confederate Lords seeing what power they had with them, and knowing that many hearts in England adhered to their faction, after they had set Callis in order, they prepared for England, and [Page 166] landed at Dover, and marching through Kent, The York [...]sts land in England. came to London the second day of Iuly, where having well refreshed their people, they sped them towards the King, who was then at Coventry, and awaited there with a sufficient army.
The battle at Northampton.Who marching as farre as Northampton, the ninth day of Iuly both hosts incountred, where betwixt them was a blooddy battle fought, but in the end, the victory fell to the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury, and the Kings host were utterly defeated, The Kings host discomfitted. and many of his Noblemen slaine, amongst which were the Duke of Buckingham, the Earle of Shrewsbury, the Vicount Bewmount, Lord Egremond and others, and the King taken in the field: The King taken. after which victory by the Lords obtained, they brought the King (still keeping his estate) up to London, and lodged him in the Bishops pallace, and sent newes of their happy successe to the Duke of Yorke who was at that time in Ireland: A Parliament was then cald in the name of the King, and holden at Westminster, during which, the Duke of Yorke, upon the tenth day of October came to the City of Westminster, and lodged him in the Kings pallace, Yorke lodgeth in the Kings Pallace. upon which a rumour rose that Henry should be deposed, and the Duke of Yorke made King.
Whilst these things were thus in agitation, the Duke came one day unto the Parliament [Page 167] Chamber, Yorke layeth claime to the Crowne. and in the presence of the Lords, sate him downe in the Kings Chaire, and boldly made claime to the Crowne, as his rightfull inheritance. At which the Lords began to murmure, as well his friends, as others, and after the matter was long disputed, the Duke was perswaded to renounce that claime, during the life of King Henry: In all which time the Queene, whom all these terrours could not daunt, The Queenes magnanimity. kept her selfe with the Lords of her party, in the North, and using the Kings name, gathered a strong power, which (as she protested in the front of her Campe) was to be revenged on the Kings Rebells, and Enemies: There is one thing worthy observation, that during this Competitorship betwixt the King and the Duke, though they lodged both within one pallace, yet would he for no intercession or intreaty, Yorks pride. once visit the King, which could be little lesse interpreted, then an haughty, and ambitious insolence.
To proceede, it was after concluded by the Authority of the whole Parliament, The decree of the Parliament. that King Henry should continue King all his naturall life, but after his death, Prince Edward his sonne to be made incapable of that Royall dignity, but the Duke and his Heires to be Kings; and he in the meane time to be made Protector, and Regent of the Land and if at any time the King of his owne free [Page 168] will, were disposed to resigne, it should be to the Duke, if he then lived, or else to his Heires after him: which on the Saturday next, being the ninth day of November, was proclaimed through the City. And further, because Queene Margaret, with the Prince her Sonne, the Dukes of Summerset, and Exeter, with divers other Lords, kept her still in the North, and came not up at the Kings sending, it was concluded by the Lords there present, that the Duke of Yorke with the Earle of Salisbury, and others, should raise an Army to fetch in the said Queene, and Lords, who hearing of their comming met with him neere unto Wakefield, where was fought betwixt them a sharpe and bloody battle, The battle of Wakefield. The Duke of Yorke slaine. in which the Duke of Yorke was slaine with his young Sonne, the Earle of Rutland, with Sir Thomas Nevell, sonne to the Earle of Salisbury, and the Earle himselfe was taken alive, and soone after beheaded.
It is said that the Duke of Yorke being sore wounded, was brought before the Queene, who in great derision and scorne, placed him on a molehill, instead of a Throne, and put a Crowne of paper on his head for a Diadem, and after she had sufficiently taunted, his ambition, caused him to be slaine; this done with her victorious host, shee made what speede shee could towards London, and at [Page 169] Saint Albones was met by the Earle of Warwicke and the Duke of Northfolke (who brought the King with them to the field, Another battle at Saint Albons. where after a strong fight, upon a Shrovetuesday in the morning, the Duke, and Earles Army were routed, and the King againe taken and brought unto the Queene. Prince Edward made Knight. The same day she caused her sonne Edward to be made Knight, with other Gentlemen to the number of thirty persons.
The Queene being now in her former supreame command, and thinking to sway all things as before, at her owne pleasure: newes were brought that Edward Earle of March, eldest Sonne to the Duke of Yorke, Edward Earle of March raiseth new forces. and the Earle of Warwicke were met, with a great strength of March-men, and others, and were speeding towards London; which tidings compelled the King and Queene, to retire them with their Army Northward, the other taking this advantage entred the City, the first weeke in Lent; to whom resorted great numbers of Gentlemen, from the South and East, then was a great Counsell called of the Lords, spirituall and temporall, who after many argumen [...]s debated, gave up this sentence, that forasmuch as King Henry contrary to his honour, and promise at the last parliament made, and also that he was reputed unable and insufficient to governe the Realme, by their generall assents he was [Page 170] thought worthy to be deposed, and discharged of all royall dignity. Henry thought worthy to be deposed.
Then incontinently by the Authority of the said Counsell, and consent of the Commons, there present: Edward the eldest son to the Duke of Yorke, with an unanimous suffrage was elected King, Edward Earle of March made King. and being royally accompanyed to Westminster, was invested in the Throne, and tooke possion of the Crowne, thence by the Clergy, he was conveighed in sollemne procession to Saint Edmunds shrine, and there offered as King, receiving the Homage and [...]ealty, of all the Lords there present, &c. Then was great provision made for the North, against the Queene and her partisans, the Earle of Warwicke, upon a Saturday, in the beginning of March, with a great puissance of people, departed from London Northward, and on the Wednesday following, the Kings Infantry followed, and upon Fryday next after, being the tenth of March, the King rode through the City, with a great band of men, passing Bishopsgate, and so holding on his journey, sped him so well, that he with the rest of his Forces, met with their enemies, at a Village, The bloody battle at Towton, or Shirborne. nine miles and an halfe on this side Yorke, called Towton or Shirborne.
Vpon Palme sunday he gave them battle, which was fought with such eagernesse and fury, that in the field, and in the chase were [Page 171] slaine of the Queenes party, thirty thousand men, besides those of speciall note and name, amongst which are numbred the Earle of Northumberland, the Earle of Westmerland, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Egremond, Sir Andrew Trollop, (who had before revolted with his Callis Souldiers, from the Yorkists at Ludlow) with divers others, there were taken also the Earle of Willshire, or Devonshire, who was sent to Yorke, and there after beheaded, Henry with his Queene flye into Scotland. of which bloody conflict, and irrecoverable losse, Henry and Margaret, having notice, they with their sonne Edward, the Duke of Summerset, the Lord Rosse, and others, in all hast fled towards Scotland, and the King upon the morrow, with much of his people entred into Yorke, and there kept his Easter.
Thus the most infortunate Prince Henry, (of whom it is truely observed, Henry in all his actions most infortunate. that he was never personally in any battle, but it was lost) when he had raigned full thirty eight yeares, sixe months and odde dayes, and that Heroycall Lady Margaret, (whom even this last disaster could not daunt) was forc't to flye, whilst King Edward having setled all the affaires in the North, under the charge of the Earle of Warwicke, visited all the Countryes, South and East, and about the beginning of Iune, came to his Mannor of Sheene, (since called Richmond) in which [Page 172] time of his abode there, provision was made for his royall Coronation. Then upon the twenty seventh of the same moneth being Fryday, hee rode to the Tower of London, attended by the Lord Major and his Brethren, and upon the morrow being Saturday, he made twenty eight Knights of the Bathe, and foure more after: the same afternoone he was with great solemnity conveyed through the City, The Coronation of King Edward, the fourth of that name. those two and thirty Knights riding before him in blew gownes, and hoods, and upon the morrow being Sunday, and Saint Peters day, with great triumph Crowned, and annoyn [...]ed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, &c.
Queene Margarets Army.In the second yeare of this King, Margaret late Queene, came out of France into Scotland, and thence into England, with an Army of Frenchmen, and Scots, of which King Edward having notice, he sped him into the North, with a strong Army, at the rumour of which (by reason of the cowardice of her Souldiers, she was forced to disband and flye, Margaret distressed by Sea. and tooke a small ship, intending to saile into France, but by reason of a great tempest, shee was forced to leave her owne barke, and take a small Fisher-boate, by meanes of which shee landed at Barwicke, and came unto the Scottish King, where shee heard her barke perished in the tempest in which shee had great riches [Page 173] and treasure: notwithstanding, at her instigation, the yeare after, shee with her Husband invaded England, with a great Army of Scottish men; which hearing, then the Lord Montague, (Brother to the Earle of Warwicke) he assembled the Northerne men and gave them battle at a place calld Exham, Exham field. and there routed them, chasing Henry so nere that he surprized certaine of his followers, habited in Iackets of blew Velvet, garnished with Crownes of gold, and fretted with pearle, and other rich stones; notwithstanding his so narrow escape, in the end of the same yeare, Henry tooke Prisoner. hee was taken in a wood in the North Country, by one named Cantlow, and presented to the King, who sent him as Prisoner to the Tower, where he remained a long time after.
Some few moneths before this, King Edward at a place called Graston, neere unto Stony Stratford, King Edward marryeth Elizabeth Gray. upon the first day of May, secretly espoused Elizabeth, late wife of Sir Iohn Grey, Knight, who was slaine at Towton field neere unto Yorke, at which marriage were present none save themselves, the Dutchesse of Bedford, her Mother, two Gentlewoman, and one Gentleman, who the next yeare after, upon Whitsunday, was with great sollemnity Crowned at Westminster, which marriage was the occassion of [Page 174] much trouble in the Land, of which I am loath long to insist, as unwilling to meddle with any impertinences, not genuine with the particular actions, and fortunes of the Queene Margaret, the subject now in hand.
Yet thus farre I must travell in the History, to informe you that the Earle of Warwicke, was before sent into France, to treate about a marriage betwixt the King and the Lady Bova, The Lady Bova. who by reason of the former match, thought himselfe much disparaged and dishonoured: therefore hee withdrew himselfe from the King, and confedered unto him the Duke of Clarens, who had before marryed his daughter, and notwithstanding the King sent peaceably unto them, as desiring reconsilement, yet they sayled into France, solliciting the ayde of Lewis the eleventh, who by reason of the former affront (concerning the Lady Bova) gladly condiscended to their request, where they consulted with Queene Margaret, and the Earle of Oxford, The Duke of Clarens, and Earle of Warwicke proclamed Rebels. for their returne into England, in which meane space, King Edward commanded them to be proclaimed as Rebels, and Traitours, throughout the Realme.
In the tenth yeare of the King, and the month of Sceptember, the Duke of Clarence, the Earles of Warwicke, Pembrooke, and Oxford, with others landed at Dertmouth in Devonshire, and made Proclamations in the [Page 175] name of King Henry, Henry againe proclaimed King. to whom much people desirous of innovation resorted, and drew towards the King, (then being in the North,) who having with him, but small strength, and (of them too) those whom hee durst scarse trust, he with the Duke of Gloster, the Lord Hastings, and a few others, tooke the next way towards the Washes in Lincolneshire, and with great danger, not without the losse of some of his company, King Edward flyes the land. got over into Flanders, and sped thence to Charles Duke of Burgoine, who had before marryed his sister, where he rested for a season, meane space the Duke of Clarence, and the other Lords drew nere unto the City, and after rode unto the Tower, and withall honour and reverence, Henry received as King. brought out King Henry, and conveighed him to Saint Pauls, and lodged him in the Bishops pallace who was generally admitted, and taken for King, through the whole Land.
And now was great expectation for the landing of Queene Margaret, Strange alteration in the state. and her Sonne Prince Edward, and great provision made through all the coast, to oppose King Edwards landing, who in a Parliament then called, Glocester, who was after Richard the third. was proclaimed usurper of the Crowne, and the Duke of Glocester his younger Brother Traytor, and both of them attainted by the said Parliament, then the Earle of Warwicke rid to Dover, to have received [Page 176] Queene Margaret, but was disappointed, for the wind was to her so contrary, that shee lay at the Sea side, tarrying for a convenient passage, from November till Aprill, so that he was forced to returne without effecting his purpose.
Edward landeth in EnglandIn the beginning of which moneth Aprill, King Edward landed in the North, with a small number of Flemmings, and others, all which could scarse m [...]ke up a thousand, and sped him towards Yorke, making his Proclamations in the name of King Henry, He maketh his Proclamations in the name of King Henry. and protested to the people as he went, that hee came for no other intent but to claime his antient inheritance, the Dukedome of Yorke; notwithstanding which, the City denyde him admittance, till he tooke an oath, which having done, Edward possesseth Yorke. they opened their gates unto him, when after he had refreshed his Souldiers, he held his way on towards London; and having passed (either favor of faire words) the Lord Marquesse Montacut, who lay with an Army in the way to interdict his journey, seeing that his strength was greatly increased, and that the people dayly flockt unto him, hee then made proclamations in his owne name as King of England, and held on his way to London, where he was releeved, and the same day hee rode to Saint Pauls Church, Henry surprised by Edward. and offred at the Altar, which done hee went to the Bishops pallace, where hee [Page 177] found King Henry, allmost alone, for all the Lords, and others, to save their owne lives, had utterly forsaken him.
Then King Edward lodged himselfe, where King Henry lay, and committed him to strict keeping, and rested himselfe till Easter Eve, who hearing of his brothers comming, and the other Lords with him, with a strong host, unto Saint Albones, hee sped him thither, and lay that night at Barnet, whether the Duke of Clarence, (contrary to his oath made to the French King) came with all the strength he had, and reconciled himselfe to his Brother: at which the Lords were much daunted, yet by the comfort and incouragement of the Earle of Oxford, The Earle of Oxford leadeth the Van. they marched on to Barnet, (the foresaid Earle leading the van) and there they strongly embattelled themselves.
Vpon the morrow being the foureteenth of Aprill and Easterday, very earely in the morning, the two hosts defied each other, upon the one party were two Kings, Edward and Henry, (who brought him with him to the battle, The Battle at Barnet.) Clarence, and Glossester, the Lord Barnes, &c. And upon the other was the Duke of Exeter, the two Earles of Warwicke and Oxford, the Marquesse Mountacute, with many other men of note, and name: In which fight, the Earle of Oxford quit himselfe so manfully, that he quite routed that [Page 178] part of the field which hee set upon, insomuch that newes was carryed to London, King Edward had lost the day, and if his Souldiers, had kept their rankes, and not falne to rifling, most likely it had beene so. But after long and cruell fight King, Edward got the victory, Lords slaine in the battle. having slaine of his enemies, the Marquesse Mountacute, the Earle of Warwicke his brother, with many others: (on the Kings party, the Lord Barnes, and upon both parties, to the number of fifteene hundred and upwards: the same after noone came King Edward to London, and made his offring at Saint Pauls, and after rode to Westminster, and there lodged; and King Henry was againe committed to the Tower, where he remained till his death.
And now great preparation was made against the landing of Queene Margaret, and her sonne: who all this while had beene nere to the Sea side, expecting a winde, which after blew for her, Queene Margaret landeth in England. most infortunately: yet was shee safely landed, with an Army of French men, and others, and entered so farre within the Realme, till shee came to a place called Teuxbury, where the King met with her, The battle at Teuxbury. and after some resistance, distressed and chased her whole company, in which conflict many were slaine, and their bodyes found dead in the place, Margaret with the Prince her son taken. and shee her selfe with her sonne Edward, both taken Prisoners, [Page 179] and brought to the King: whom shee fronted with a bold and an undaunted countenance, and forgetting what shee was then, a prisoner: Her magnanimity. boldly spake to him, as what shee had beene, a commanding Princesse; which the King not having the patience to indure, commanded her from his presence.
The Prince also, the true heire to his Mothers magnanimous spirit, being not onely reprooved, but somewhat villified by the King, whose blood was not yet cooled, since the late battle, replyed unto him in a language, best suiting his birth, and the Sonne of such a Mother, at which King Edward being highly mooved, and beyond all patience incensed, (having then his Gantlet on) (for he had not yet put of his armour) strucke him upon the face, Prince Edward murthered by the Duke of Glocester. which blow was no sooner given, but he was instantly dragged from the Kings presence, and by the Duke of Glocester (as same reports) most tyrannously murthered, and this hapned upon the fourth day of May.
When the Queene heard of the death of her Sonne, and the manner thereof, the more to aggravate it, great (no question) was her griefe, but much greater, and altogether inexpressible, her rage and fury, not having power to revenge her selfe upon her enemies: this more tormenting her, then [Page 180] the durance of the King her husband, her owne captivity, or the losse of her kingdome, yet outwardly shee is said to have borne all these disasters, with an incomparable magnanimity: who was first conveighed to London, and from thence, (with small attendance, Queene Margaret sent into her owne Country. The death of Henry. and lesse estate) sent over into her owne Country, and upon Assention Eve next ensuing, the body of Henry the sixth late King, was brought unreverently from the Tower, through the high streetes of the City, to Saint Pauls, and there left for that night, and the next morrow with bills and glaves, (as he was the day before) brought from the Tower thither, conveighed to Chertsey, and without any sollemnity at all, there interred, His buriall. of the manner of whose death there be divers reports, but the common fame went, that he was stab'd to death with a dagger, by the bloody hand of Richard Duke of Glocester.